Apparatus fob separating liquids



H. J. OVERLIN.

APPABAUS FOR SEPARATING LIQUIDS.

4 APPLICATION FiILED MAY3.19|8. l 1,320,340. Patented oct. 28,1919.

3 SHEETS-SiHEET l.

, J.. HV1-1in t attorney J H. J. OVERLIN.

APPARATUS FOR SEPABAHNG Lioulos.

.APPLICATION FILED MAY 3,1918. Patented Oct. 28,1919.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

- UNTTED sTATEs PATENT HAROLD J. OVERLIN, 0F BUFFALO GAP, SOUTH DAKOTA.

APPARATUS FOR SEPARATING- LIQUIDS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented oet. es, ieia.

To all whom t mayl concern:

Be it known that I, HAROLD J. OVEREIN, a citizen of the United States,and a resident of Buffalo Gap, in the county of Custer and State of'South Dakota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements 1n .anApparatus for Separating Liqulds, of which the following is aspecification.

y present invention relates to an app ratus for and method of separatingliquid, and more particularly to a mechanism and a Vprocess wherebycream can be efficiently principal object of my invention is to has theparts so constructed and arranged that when the liqcompound, as amechanical mixture, 1s supplied thereto and the apparatusis operated,the separation will be accomplished by takin advantage of the differencein the specific gravity the compound, while centrifugal force willalso'be made to play an important part 1n the separating action.

A further olbect lies in arranging substantially truncated separatingbowl which bowl 1s spun or turned upon a central axis, and in soarranging the disks that the apex of the cone-shape is disposeddownwardly, the arrangement of the parts in accordance with this planbeing such that the supply of the liquid to be separated is to the disksas liquid would be poured into a funnel.

Yet another important object is to provide a support for the 'separatingbowl, by which this bowl is given bearing at both its l upper and lowerends, and to so arrange one of the bearings that takeupy is provided tolf compensate for wear and to insure that the separating bowl will at alltimes be true upon its turning axis.

l still further object of the invention resides in providing a liquid tobe separated 1s treated to take advantage of the difference in theweight of the liquids making up the compound, in the fullest measure,force in the separating process.

Further objects of my invention lwill `appear in the following detaileddescription,

drawings,

of the liquid components ofcone-shaped disks within a h justable andmovable, in a manner process by which the when using centrifugall takenin connection with the accompanying forming a part of thisspecification, and in which drawings:

igure 1 is a view partly in elevation of after the manner partly insection and a machine constructed of my invention and adapted toaccomplish the-method.

1g. 2 1s an enlarged sectional view through the separating bowl toV showthe arrangement of the parts therein.

3 is a view made up diagrammatically 'afterlfigz 2 to better disclosethe flow of the liquid in the separating operation.

Fig. 4 is a detail Fig. 5 1s a detail view struction of the bowl pot.

ig. 6 is a fragmentary detail view illusing the ing mountings for theseparating bowl by vihich the same is supported removably in p ace.

In the drawings, where similar characters refer to similar partsthroughout the views, A designates the main supportin structure which iscarried y supporting legs his main supporting structure has a gear caseC provided in the base thereof, and connection is established from anoperating within the gear case bowl pot AE is supported on the mainstructure, and a' separating bowl F is mounted revolubly in this bowlypot by the lower and upper bowl spindles G and a 'drivin connectionbeing established from the drive gears within the case Cto the bowlspindle G to cause the separating bowl to be revolved as the operatinghandle is turned. The bracket I by which the upper bowl spindle H ismounted is adshowing the conh, and above this spider J is provided onthe supporting structure A.' by which a milk supply tank K is carried. Amilk supply faucet L leads from this milkA supply tank, and through thefeed M, and amilk tube leading there- As has been stated, the separationis accomplished through centrifugal force exerted when the separatingbowl is spun or turned, and the separated liquid, as for instance skimmilk and cream, will be discharged l view showing one of the i disks asplaced within the separating bowl.

` that through this train of gears pivot screw through the spouts N andO, beneath the discharge ends of which spouts, cans or other containerscan be placed to catch the separated liquids.

The main supporting structure includes an upright casing portion 1 whichextends above the gear case C, and the operating handle D is mounted ona shaft 2 journaled adjacent the upper end of this upright extension andat such a height that it is conveniently accessible to the partyoperating the separator. This shaft 2 has a b gear 3 secured thereon andthis bevel gear meshes with a gear l on the main shaft 5, which lattershaft is journaled in bearings provided in the upright extension 1 ofthe supporting structure and has the lower end thereof within the gearcase. A drive gear G is mounted on the shaft 5 within the gear case, andthis drive gear meshes with a pinion 'T on the intermediate shaft 8. Thelower spindle G of the separating `bowl is made of conical form at itsend and this conical end is received in a step or bearing providedwithin theI gear case, so that the spindle is held to be properlycentered even after the parts have lbeen subjected to considerable wear.An intermediate drive gear 10 is provided on the intermediate shaft 8,and this gear meshes with a pinion 11 on the spindle G, it of coursebeing understood from the l G, the speed of revolution is quitematerially built up or increased.

On the upright portion 1 of the casing, the adjustable bearing for theseparating bowl is provided, this adjustable bearing including asupporting member 12, which has a swinging member 13 hingedly mountedthereon, a pin 1l being provided, as better shown in Fig. 6, to befitted in place to hold the swinging men ber 13 in a fixed position withrespect to the portion 12. A 15 is adjustably fitted through ascrew-threaded opening provided in the swinging member 13, this pivotscrew being made of substantially conical form at its lower end, and thehea of the screw being knurled or otherwise roughened to provide aconvenient thumb hold for turning of the screw in the adjustment of thesame. he upper spindle H of the bowl l" has a bearing center opening 16therein, and when the separating bowl is fitted in place and is broughtto the upright relation, the pivot screw 15 will fit within this bearingopening 16 and in consequence an upper bearing is provided for the bowl.As the parts wear, the pivot screw can be adjusted to at all timesmaintain the proper mounting of the spindles G and H, and the settingsof the pivot screw will be locked by use o the jam nut 17. When the pin14: is fitted in place.I the swinging mem r 13 of the bearing thethreaded nipple 25, the collar will be maintained in the position shownin Fig. 1, but when this pin is removed the swinging extension may beraised to disengage the pivot screw 15 from the spindle H, and theseparating bowl may then be removed.

This separating bowl F, is made up of a shell 18 comprising a side wallof substanand a bottom portially cylindrical form,

tion, and a top or cover 19 is provided to be fitted to and close theopen upper end of the shell, this top or cover being provided with a rimfiange 20 which is bent to form a thread or has threads cut therein, andfits upon the upper edge of the shell. As the structure is well adaptedfor use as the cream separator and as mechanism of this sort is now verycommonly employed in that connection, I will hereinafter describe theuse of the structure in separating cream from milk, and the parts willbe particularly referred to in this connection, although it will ofcourse be understood that the mechanism can be employed in otherconnections with equal A central tube 21, which will be hereinafterreferred to as the cream tube, is adapted to be tted centrally withinthe shell 18, and has perforations 22 provided therethrough forpassageof' cream from the main portion of the shell. A plurality of disks,generally indicated at 23, are to be mounted within the shell 18 aroundthe tube 21, and a perforated plate 2l is mounted upon the uppermostdisk to be spaced somewhat below the top 19 as the same is fitted to theshell. The lower spindle G is rigidly mounted in conjunction with thebottom of the shell 18, and extends upwardly from the inner sidethereof, this extension being reduced and being formed into anexternally screw-threaded stem or nipple The upper spindle H is made ofsufficient length to have the lower end thereof passed into the shell 18and connected with the lower spindle G, the spindle H having ascrew-threaded socket 26 at the lower end thereof for reception of thethreaded nipple 25, and the Iparts being thus rigidly connectedtogether. The spindle H has a collar 27 near the upper end thereof andthis collar is so located that as the spindle is fitted througha-central opening in the perforated disk 24 and "is tightened upon willbear down upon the perforated disk and will cause the same to clampagainst the disks 23 to hold the same in proper mounting. The top 19 hasthe opening through which the spindle H is received somewhat enlarged asindicated at 28, to provide clearance for a milk supply tube 29 from;which milk is discharged into the receiving chamber' formed between thetop 19 and the ",perforated disk 24, and as centrifugal force exertedupon the liquid wherfthe separating into the pan 35,

sob

p to

y their edges turned down up eddies to thus bowl is being spun willcause the same to carry to the side of this chamber formed in the upperpart of the shell, the packing ring 30 is providedto guard against theleaking of the liquid between the upper edge of the shell and the top,where these parts are connected together'.

rThe milk supply tube 29 leads from the feed cup M, which in turnreceives its sup-- ply from the milk faucet L connected with the milksupply tank K, and it Will of course be appreciated y governed byregulation of the setting of the faucet. However to guard againstoverflow at the feed cup, it is preferable that the floaty valve 31' beprovided within the to close the milk faucet L when the supply to thefeed cup is excessive. In the supply of milk through the tube 29, theperforated plate 24 spreads the flow of milk and breaks insure that themilk supplied to the disks to be separated will receive the full effectof the separating force exerted by the spinning ofthe bowl, without feedcup M counter-forces or eddies acting'to hinder .in

the treatment, and as the skim milk and cream have a gravity flow to bedischarged from the shell, the cream provided through the bottom of theshell to open within the tube 2l, while milk outlet passages 33 areprovided through the bottom of the'shell lconcentrically around the tube21. The cream tube 32 discharges into a pan 34v provided in the bottomof the bowl pot E, and the spout O receives the cream from this pan. Thedischarge of skim milk is from which the spout N leads, and to guardagainst skim milk finding its way into the pan 34, an apron 36 isprovided on the lower side of the bottom of the shell, 'the apron beingmade suiiiciently wide to cover over the opening provided centrallywithin the pan 35 to accommodate the cream tube 32 and the, bowl spindleG. As for different uses, it may -be desirable to bring the cream togreater or lesser density, a cream screw 37 is provided in the creamdischarge tube 32, and by regulation of this screw the rate of flowthrough the tube will e governed vand the length of time for which thecream is held within the shell can be regulated.

As has been previously stated, the disks are of substantially truncatedcone-shape, and these disks are so placed in their mounting within theshell 18, that the slope of the walls is downwardly from the shell wall18 toward the tube 21, the apex of the conical form being cut awaysuiiciently that a central opening is provided which gives clearancearound the tube 21. The disks 23 have or flattened out, and then thenotches 38 are provided in the turned down edges. Spacing blocks 39 aresoldered orotherwise secured upon the disks that the'flowl of milk canbe d 'impacted scribed are all outlet tube 32 is .the extension 44, andthese shown vin Figs. 1 and .jto'be separated is supplied to the tank K.

to give clearance therebetween when the several disks are mounted withinthe shell. By providing the spacing blocks 39, forming the centralopenings of the disks to give clearance around the tube 21, and notchingthe edges of the disks, the arrangement of the parts is such that whenthe disks are mounted in place provision is made for free circulation ofthe liquid within the shell 18, the main body portions of the disksacting only to guide the flow of liquid and being isposed as wallsagainst which the liquid is through the centrifugal force eX- erted bythe spinning of the shell. However, due to the fact that the perforateddisk 24 covers over and closes the notches of the uppermost disk, themilk is directed to How through the central opening of this disk. It lwill be understood that the parts as dcreadily removed from the shell byfirst removing the top 19 and then loosening the spindle H from itsmounting upon the threaded nipple 25, thus all of the parts may bereadily vwashed and scalded and may be interchangeably reassembled. Toallow for fitting of the shell in place and for ready removal of thesame, the bowl pot E is preferably made up of the two members 40 and 41,as shown in Fig. 5, which members are hinged together at 42. As the mem`b ers 40 and 41 are closed around the separating bowl, the latch member43 is fitted over members are held against separating. vIf desired,packing might be introduced at the edges of the 100 members 40 and 41,or these parts might be ribbed and grooved to provide an interfittingjoint, the main purpose being to guard against .splashing of the liquidfrom the...

pans 34 and 35 and against ingress of dirt or I105 y foreign matterthereto.

he operation of the apparatus and the carrying out of the method are asfollows: Assuming that the parts are assembled as 2, milk or otherliquid he faucet L is adjusted to secure proper iiow of liquid to thefeed cup M, and it will of course be understood that excessive flow willbe stopped through action of the 115 float valve 31. The operatinghandle B is now-turned, and as the liquid Hows through thetube 29 intothe chamber formed within the upper part -of the shell 18, this liquidwill be spread over the perforated plate 24 120 and will be supplied inan even flow through the body of the shell. Within the shell, the iow ofliquid will be substantially as indicated by the fulland dotted linearrows of .i Fig. 3, it of course being understood that A into thelighter and heavier 4be carried out, until the discharge outis inducedin the mixture liquids will tom of the shurwhich aow gravity, theseparation of lets are reached, where a more` or less perfectseparationl will have been attained. Provision of the spindles extendingabove and below the separating bowl and of the bearinof mountings bywhich the spindles are he d guards against wearing of the parts throughlateral or twisting strain placed upon the separating bowl due toimproper leveling of the machine or to any other cause, and as one ofthese bearings is adjustable, the machine can be at all times maintainedin condition for operation at its highest eliiciency.

The process depends for its novelty upon the passing of liquid, as amechanical mixturc of two or more ingredients of different weights,between disks of substantially truncated cone-shape disposed with theirwalls inclined upwardly, and this method of treatment is successful dueto .the fact that the exertion. of centrifugal settling force isparallel with the settling forces inherent within the mixture throughthe difference in the weight of the ingredients, rather than counter tothe natural settling.

While I have herein shown'and described the parts of my invention asincorporated with` a particular power and drive mechanism, it is to beunderstood that any standard form of such mechanism might be employed orthat special forms could be used where desired, and further that theliquid supply and control might-be varied from 'that here specificallymentioned.

Changes in other details may be made without departing from the spiritor scope of my invention; but,

I claim:

1. In a centrifugal machine for separatf ing liquids, a separating bowlhaving spindles extending above and below the saine to be disposed insubstantially vertical `relation when the bowl is mounted for use,

a supporting structure, a bearing formed in conjunction with thesupporting structure by which the lowest spindle is mounted, a movablebearing member carried by the supporting structure adjacent the upperspindle, means by which said movable bearing member is held in fixedposition, a pivot screw mounted in conjunction with the movable bearingmember to engage ,with the upper spindle of said bowl when the movablemember is fixed, and means to lock the ivot screw in adjusted positions.

2. In a separating bowl for liquid separating apparatus, a shellincluding a substantially cylindrical side wall, a plurality of disks oftruncated cone-shape made of a size to be received within the shellfitted thereto with their walls sloping downwardly lighter liquid ratingapparatus,

from the wall of the shell, a perforated plate mounted upon the topmostdisk as the same are placed within the shell, and means to secure saiderforated plate in a position to retain the isks in proper fittedpositions.

3. A centrifugally-operating bowl having a perforated tube arrangedcentrally therein, and a plurality of disks of substantially truncatedcone-form mounted within said bowl with their central openings clearingsaid perforated tube, ing up from said central openings.

4:. A centrifugally-operating bowl-having a perforated tube arrangedcentrally therein, and a plurality truncated cone form mounted withinsaid bowl with their central openings clearing said perforated tube,their walls sloping up from said central openings, said disks beingnotched at their edges, a liquid discharge tube extending into saidshell opening within the perforated tube for discharge of the asseparated out, saidbowl having discharge openings for the heavier liquidarranged concentrically around the central tube to receive `the liquidflowing through the notch in the disks,- and means to regulate the flowof liquid from the dis-V charge tube.

5. A centrifugally-ope'rating bowl for liq-l uid separation including aside wall of substantially cylindrical form and a bottom for said sidewall which bottom has discharge openings therethrough for heavier andlighter liquids as separated, a perforated tube mounted centrally withinsaid bowl to embrace the dischar e' openings for the lighter liquid, aspindIe connected with the bottom of said bowl extending within the sameand terminating within a threaded nipple, a' plurality of separatingdisks mounted within the bowl, said disks bein@ separated and notched attheir periphera edges, a perforated plate mounted on the topmost of saiddisks, an upper bearing spindle threaded socket at its lower end toreceive the threaded nipple of the low'er spindle and having a collarthereon to bear upon the perforated plate to clamp the same against thedisks and retain said disks in proper position within the bowl.

6. In a separating bowl for liquid sepaa shell including a substantiallycylindrical side wall, a plurality of disks of truncated cone-shape bentdown and their walls slop.

for said bowl provided with a screwv at their edges and notched4 in theflanged bowl around the perforated tube with theirV over the notches ofsaid topmost disk, and means to secure said perforated disk in aposition to retain the remaining disks in proper fitted positions.

7. A centrifugally-operating bowl for liquid separation Yhaving aperforated tube arranged centrally therein, a plurality of disks ofsubstantial y truncated cone form walls sloping upwardly therefromandhaving the fianged edges notched to provide recesses adjacent the wallof the bowl, and a perforated plate fitted within the bowl to rest uponthe topmost disk and made imperforate at its edge to close the edgerecesses of said disk.

8. A centrifugally-operating bowl including a shell. a perforated tubearranged centrally therein, a plurality of disks of substantially'truncated cone-form mounted within said bowl with their central openingsclearing. said perforated tube and thelr walls sloping upwardly fromsaid central openings, and a perforated plate mounted upon the topmost.disk in the shell.

9. A centrifugally-operating bowl for liquid separation having aperforated tube arranged centrally therein, a plurality of disks shapedto t within the' bowl around the perforated tube with their wallssloping upwardly therefrom, plate tted within the bowl to rest upon thetopmost disk and made imperforate at its edges.

10. A centrifugally-operating bowl for adjacent the wall of the bowl anda perforated liquid separation having a perforated tube arrangedcentrally therein, the lower end of said tube being closed, a dischargetube extending through the and means carried by to regulate the flow ofbottom of said tube, said discharge tube cream therethrough.

1l. A centrifugally-operating bowl for `liquid separation havlng aperforated tube arranged centrally therein, the lower end of said tubebeing closed, a discharge tube eX- tending through the bottom of saidtube, means carried by said discharge tube to said perforated tube andupwardly from said central openings.

12. A centrifugally-operatin bowl for liquid separation havingaperforated tube of said tube being closed, a discharge tube extendingthrough the bottom of said tube, means carried by said discharge tube ito regulate the flow of cream therethrough, a plurality of disks ofsubstantially truncated cone-form mounted within said bowl with theircentral openings clearing said perforated tube and their walls slopingupwardly from said central openings, said disks having their edgesnotched to provide recesses and a perforated plate tted within the

